The Rookie – The Watcher – Overview: Like An Imposter

“The Watcher” – THE ROOKIE, Pictured: Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper and Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez. Picture: Disney/Mike Taing © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Recap:

The episode begins with Nolan and Celina pursuing a suspect on a rooftop, solely to find the suspect tied up in a room. A mysterious man wearing black salutes them from under, revealing he’s the one who tied the suspect. In the meantime, James searches for his keys at dwelling, getting ready for a gathering with the captain. Nyla helps him discover them of their daughter’s play kitchen. She mentions that she’ll be on patrol tonight, and James insists she speaks on the dinner he’s internet hosting with group activists, hoping to reassure them in regards to the division’s efforts to get rid of corrupt officers. Reluctantly, Nyla agrees.

Miles wakes up in his automotive, prepared for work with a bag of his belongings. Tim meets him within the car parking zone, teasing him about wanting like he is heading for an extended deployment. Miles quips {that a} heavy backpack is sweet for cardio, a tip from his highschool soccer coach. Later, it’s revealed to be a plain garments day, and Celina is each nervous and excited. Lucy reassures her, sharing her personal struggles with adjusting to plain garments and advising Celina to deal with dealing with issues herself. Tim, nevertheless, warns Nolan that if Celina fails, it displays on him as her T.O. He suggests Nolan ought to undertake a harder strategy, in contrast to his typical type.

On the station, there’s pressure as James and Wesley meet with the captain, whereas Angela and Nyla cross paths with Detective Graham, who will get below Wesley’s pores and skin along with his banter. Roll name begins, with Tim stating Seth’s tardiness. He’s not impressed (however extremely amused). Tim briefs the workforce on a vigilante referred to as the “Masked Avenger” who’s been taking issues into his personal palms. He orders foot patrol to claim the police’s presence in the neighborhood, emphasizing that they can’t let the vigilante overshadow the police drive.

Celina and Nolan reply to a house invasion name, and regardless of her preliminary nervousness, Celina makes the best name in securing the sufferer. Nonetheless, Nolan steps in to deal with the state of affairs, undermining Celina’s authority. She confronts him afterward, stating how his actions unintentionally bolstered biases in opposition to her as a Latina officer. Tim and Miles, on foot patrol, face off with a lady who flirts with Miles (and he flirts again), resulting in a conflict over professionalism. Seth and Lucy, additionally on patrol, deal with a group criticism in regards to the vigilante, with Seth taking the lead. Lucy praises him for his efforts, however there’s nonetheless room for enchancment.

Later, the vigilante is apprehended, revealing himself to be a retired officer. He insists he wasn’t accountable for the taking pictures however claims to have been attempting to make the neighborhood safer. Nonetheless, his alibi checks out, and it’s revealed there’s a copycat on the unfastened. Celina, Lucy, and the workforce cope with a tense state of affairs involving a household looking for vengeance over a teenage lady’s loss of life. A shootout ensues, with Celina displaying spectacular expertise as she talks down the mom, who seems to be the copycat. The mom is arrested, however not earlier than almost taking one other life.

On the finish of the shift, Miles confides in Celina and Seth about his dwelling state of affairs, revealing that he’s been dwelling in his automotive and is dealing with an ultimatum from Tim to discover a correct place to remain or face termination. Celina presents an answer and makes a name to assist him out. Nyla, in the meantime, returns dwelling to a home filled with group activists. She’s pissed off with James for turning their dwelling into an impromptu assembly spot with out consulting her. They’ve an emotional dialog in regards to the pressures of their jobs and their marriage.

The episode wraps with Tim, Nolan, and Lucy having drinks collectively at a meals truck, reflecting on their rookies and the challenges of being T.O.s. Tim receives a FaceTime name from Miles, who’s briefly moved in with Smitty within the RV park. Tim offers him a move for now; he’s purchased himself one other shift.

Ideas:

I simply need to say: The primary two episodes of this season have been spectacular. Going again to the roots of the present actually has been citing all of the nostalgia in the easiest way attainable. It’s displaying that the present can develop and evolve, however hold to the elements that made us fall in love with it. Nolan being extra within the mixture of the forged has additionally been an enormous assist in making the story really feel cohesive.

This episode specifically was a gut-punch — and I imply that as a praise. The present’s all the time been nice at balancing humor and enjoyable with the extra emotional moments, and this entire episode was an ideal instance of that. The story of the previous man taking pictures his granddaughter was a tear-jerker. The visitor actor was phenomenal and had me feeling all the sentiments.

And, say what you’ll about Chenford’s breakup, however the guess has been great, and Tim has been displaying up for Lucy within the small ways in which he promised. Enlightening recommendation? I’m not shocked in any respect.

Character of the Week: Celina Juarez

Celina was a straightforward selection for Character of the Week, as a result of it was her Plain Garments Day — and she or he crushed it! When she’s confronted with the tense state of affairs, she stays composed, makes the best name to have the sufferer lock himself within the lavatory, and is poised once they enter the home. It’s a serious second of development for her. Celina didn’t simply react to the state of affairs; she took cost in a approach that made it clear she’s prepared for the challenges of being on the drive. However then, Nolan steps in, takes over the state of affairs, and it was a intestine punch as a result of, regardless of every thing Celina did proper, her authority was undermined.

But, that did not cease her. She was fast to name Nolan out (about time!) in a peaceful, skilled dialogue. It is a failure on Nolan’s half as a TO, and it was refreshing to see.

Then, her speech on the finish of the episode. Simply good. Emotional and gut-wrenching and displaying that Celina actually did should make it by means of her rookie 12 months, regardless of her rocky occasions.

Ship of the Week: Jayla

James and Nyla had a little bit of a bumpy experience this episode, however the nuance of their relationship has all the time been fascinating. We have not gotten a lot of them currently, so I am actually completely satisfied that we’re getting some scenes on this season. And, on prime of that, it is a advanced storyline that has the potential to tug at heartstrings. The episode did a improbable job of displaying how the emotional weight of being in legislation enforcement can seep into private relationships, and the way, at occasions, it takes extra than simply love and good intentions to make issues work. They’re two folks with the identical morals however totally different views, and, in the long run, actually love one another to satisfy midway and attempt to discover a path by means of.

In the long run, what made this storyline so sturdy was that it felt so true to life — there’s no simple repair for the problems James and Nyla face, however their willingness to acknowledge them and hold pushing ahead is what made me join with them extra. It’s a reminder that relationships, particularly these below pressure, require fixed work, understanding, and a little bit of grace.

Subsequent Time:

We can’t have an Superior Preview subsequent week’s episode, however yow will discover the identify, synopsis, and promo under!

“Out of Pocket”

Forward of Bailey’s return dwelling, John appears for clues to find Jason Wyler. Then, Tim and Lucy swap rookies; a pleasant face resurfaces on the station, and Wesley feels unsettled over Angela.